Among those who visited the funeral parlour to pay respects today were his brother, Paddy Carson, and nephew, Captain Breen Carson.

Capt Carson, 37, serves in the Canadian military. He said he was inspired to be a soldier by his Uncle Frank, who spent a number of years in the British Army before his big break in comedy.

"He was pretty proud of his service way back when and used to chat about it to me quite often," said Capt Carson, who wore his uniform to visit his uncle.

"He was such a friendly and welcoming man, so down-to-earth."

Capt Carson said he had been amazed by the number of people who had been in touch with the family to pass on condolences.

"He was a very well-loved person for all the things he did," he said.

"He never said a bad word about anybody. That's something to cherish - to live to 85 and to be liked all round is really something."

Paddy Carson, who emigrated to Canada in the 1970s, said his brother was most proud that, as a Catholic, he was able to attract many fans from the Protestant tradition during the Northern Ireland Troubles.

"He always strived to build bridges," he told the Press Association.

"He would do anything for anybody. He got involved with charitable groups at the drop of a hat."